First CACTUS intake gets underway in Rotorua

Rotorua's first C.A.C.T.U.S (Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit and Support) got under way last week at Western Heights High School (commencing on 6 February 2011).

The CACTUS course is an eight week intensive physical training course that challenges behaviours through a very disciplined and regimented training programme, based along military lines.

Sergeant Steve Sutton, the course co-ordinator, from Rotorua Police says after just one week, the course is well underway, with students and staff alike adjusting to the early morning starts.

"We have already seen a major shift in attitude. The group has bonded well and are now beginning to work as a team. They are developing a sense of accountability in each other and themselves that they probably wouldn’t have understood without participating in the course."

The 25 students from Western Heights High School arrive at 0545hrs each Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, and take part in a well organised, military style Physical training session. This is followed by compulsory showering and then breakfast, during which time the students are addressed by guest speakers and mentored by the C.A.C.T.U.S 'crew'.

"The focus is on discipline, and working as a group. The feedback from Students, local residents and community partners has been very positive, and that’s great. It's good to be doing something positive in Western Heights and it is great to see everyone getting behind a very positive community project," says Sergeant Sutton.